Charlotte Hayes’ POV
Warning: Abuse
They say that marriage is a happy ending to everyone's life. However, not all fairy tales end happily. The crowd's attention was drawn to me as the pressure began to bind me. "Charlotte Hayes! You've been married for nearly two years! Do you have any comments about your husband?" I was hesitant to answer the question. But it didn't take long for me to put a faint smile on my face and say, "My husband and I continue to fall in love with each other as another day passes; words cannot express how grateful I am to have such a wonderful husband."
And, as usual, the journalists would be captivated whenever I mentioned 'him.' But I'm not. I'm sick and tired of explaining the same thing over and over when it's obvious that those explanations are lies. Abuse and misery lurk behind those lights, cameras, and actions. "Have you gone insane?! Why did you hesitate to respond to the f*cking question?! What if they are skeptical of us?!!" Bruises on my face as my body lays in pain on the ground. "What are you afraid of exactly?" I asked, my eyes welling up with tears.
My husband is verbally and physically abusive to me. In public, I put on a happy face, but at home, I cry. I was never happy when I married my childhood friend, actor Jake Peterson. I gradually fell in love with him despite not knowing his true behavior. Reality sets in when we marry. Every day, his rage over something will be directed at me. I've been blamed for everything and hurt for everything... I've come to feel like a doll whose actions are determined by who pulls the strings. Do I still have the right to speak and move?
I flinched as Jake raised his hand to slap me, blocking his fist with both of my arms. "Why, this b*tch!" he exclaimed. When I look in the mirror, I notice bruises all over my body. Your face and body are your most valuable assets as a model; a scar is a source of anxiety. However, cosmetics can help, just as a smile can conceal your pain.
As Jake fell asleep and his rage subsided, I decided to go for a walk around the neighborhood because it was quite cold that night. I was strolling around in the dim light through the dark hollow space. It wasn't frightening, at least not to me. What frightens me... is my husband. I kept walking barefoot, not knowing where I was going. Then I heard something. "Come kitty kitty," it said in the dim light. When I turned around, there was a man caressing a wounded kitten. The kitten reminded me of myself: bruised and without anyone to lean on.
"This kitten had a difficult life, but it is still standing, strong, and yearning for life," the man said. I admired the man's attractive appearance, and he returned my gaze, revealing his blue eyes. For some reason, he appeared shocked. "Ah," I held my cheek, realizing I hadn't yet applied makeup to cover up the bruises. The man stood up, placed the kitten back on the box, and walked towards me.
He caressed my cheek with his gentle hands and looked at me with a sad expression. And as my tears fell, he asked, "Are you okay?" "Ah.." My heart sank, because no one had ever asked me that question. "I..." I stammered. He grabbed my arms and whispered, "Don't worry. It'll be okay." I was in a warm embrace by someone I didn't know. But it was reassuring. That man became a ray of sunlight in these gloomy, void spaces. I kept crying as he patted my head. After a while... "Sorry," I sniffed. "What for?" he asked, smiling.
I remained in his arms. "I'm sorry for crying so suddenly; it's getting late, and I should go," I tried to get out of his arms, but it was futile. "Say... aren't you Charlotte Hayes?" He asked, looking through my eyes, his broad, strong arms completely wrapped around me. "How did you know?" He chuckled, "Well, who wouldn't know a famous model like you?" I bit my lower lip and stared at him.
"Are you going to tell the press?" I asked, my face flushed with rage and fear. He laughed, his eyes widening. "Oh no, don't get me wrong. Actually... I'm a fan of yours," he said, his cheek flushing. "A fan?" I asked again. In response to my question, he nodded. "I'm hosting a modeling event tomorrow evening. Do you want to come? I've been meaning to invite you since I planned the event," he said as he brushed the strands of my hair to my ear. "Just...Who are you?" I asked, perplexed. "Well, you'll know the details from your manager. Tomorrow..." he continued, "Make sure to come, okay?" It was the first time in a long time that someone looked at me with those soothing, compassionate eyes. This sensation... revitalizes me.
As the sun rises, I get out of bed and go to the bathroom. Jake, as usual, would not be there for me in the morning. I wore a long garment with long sleeves after my morning shower to cover up the majority of the bruises. I entered the kitchen. A model's diet is extremely restrictive. "I guess a sandwich will do," I said as I began to make my breakfast. It was 7 a.m. when I arrived at 'Glammy,' the modeling agency where I work. When I walked into my CEO's office, I was greeted with the office air.
The scent was divine. "Oh, Charlotte! Come sit!" says the CEO, Johnson Lee, motioning to the sofa where my manager, Hanes Jones, is sitting. "Manager, you're here too?" I said as I moved closer to the sofa. Hanes smiled and nodded silently. The silence in the air faded as the CEO began to greet us with small talk as the three of us sat still. "I've come to tell you something, Charlotte," he continued, "you've been invited to a modeling event tonight, hosted by a billionaire!" "A what?" I asked, astonished.
Little did I know that It was on that day forth, that my life gradually changed.
Charlotte Hayes' POVDamien Yves Étienne is a 25-year-old billionaire with several businesses. He was the only son of the great Étienne family, who were known for their enormous economic success. But does this family have a dark secret that they can't reveal?"A billionaire, Charlotte! Can you believe it? Mr. Étienne invited you!" Mr. Lee exclaimed, smiling broadly. Mr. Lee appears to be more enthusiastic than I am. Nonetheless, I'm intrigued. I had no idea the man I met was a billionaire. What other surprises does he have in store for me? "Wait a minute... Étienne. Isn't that the owner of the Étienne Agency?" I was taken aback. My husband works as an actor for the Étienne agency. To think my husband would be under such a man."Yes, Charlotte! What do you think? This is a great opportunity to even rise in notoriety!" my manager, Hanes, smiled. It was amusing to see how eager they were to let me go. Because I know deep down that they have their own strategy. "I'll go," I sighed as I lo
Damien Yves Étienne's POV "Ahh, why couldn't I get her out of my head?" I pondered as I sat on my room's couch. Michael Etienne, my father, was smoking tobacco directly in front of me. He looked at me, perplexed. "What's that? Do you have a woman who has piqued your interest?" he asked, smirking. "I guess," I replied, with a faint smile. He laughed when he heard my words. "Then I guess that woman is in danger, given how you, a mafia member, are interested in her," he responded. I had a frown on my face. "What can I do?" I said, crossing my arms, "I'll just hide my identity then." I took a pack of cigarettes from my pocket and lit one up. "Phew," I exhaled, extinguishing the cigarette. "Mhm, I wonder. Won't that woman get hurt if you keep your identity hidden? Wouldn't it be better if she knew?" I was enraged when he said that, so I stood up and yelled, "Are you f*cking kidding me? Do you want me to tell the world that the Étienne family is secretly a Mafia family?" The door to the r
Charlotte Hayes' POV At this point, I believe I've gone insane. I'm not sure if I asked the wrong person or not. However, this... is simply excessive! "Huu..." Damien is a beast. At 11 a.m, the affair is still going on. At this point, I was sobbing. "S-Stop it! Please? Mhm?" I begged, my voice cracking. I'm losing feeling in my legs. He rubbed it against my thighs rather than putting it in. My eyes were welling up with tears and sweat. "I don't want to," he said as he continued. I'm curious what Jake is up to now that I haven't returned home. It was 12 noon when he finished because I had passed out. What would have happened if I hadn't collapsed? It frightens me just thinking about it. He emerged from the shower with a wet appearance. He's wearing a robe and using a towel to brush his hair. "Hey, it's time for you to take a shower," he smiled. I was completely naked in bed, covered only by the sheets. My clothes were strewn about and torn apart. Even the newly purchased heels broke.
Jake Hayes's POV I was preoccupied with work last night... or did I? "Hubby, when are you going to divorce with Charlotte?" asks Aviana Quincy, my lover of two years. I first met her before Charlotte and I married. We're currently staying at a five-star hotel, laying on the queen-sized bed in nothing but a white, comfortable robe. "Mhm, let's see... after I become the top actor in Los Angeles, I'll divorce her. The only reason I've kept her is because of her fame. Her elevated fame helped me a lot. She has asked me for a divorce multiple times, but I can't let her go that easily. I still need to use her," I chuckled, expressing my plan. Aviana joined in my glee, saying, "Poor Charlotte! She deserves to be used all over again! Hahaha!" I spent the warm night with my lover. Unlike someone like Charlotte, being with her would normally comfort me. The next morning, I awoke to the news that Charlotte had been invited to my boss' modeling event the night before on the television screen. "
Charlotte Hayes' POVWe went to Jake's agency, which Damien owns. I naturally wore the long silky red gown he had bought for me, along with a matching pair of glass slippers. I wore round black glasses and a black bucket hat to avoid drawing attention to myself. My heels clacked every time they collided with the slick floor as I walked gently through the corridor. Everyone in the room was staring at me. Who wouldn't notice Damien's firm grip on my soft, left hand as we walk?"Don't you intend to let go of my hand?" I asked, a little shyly. This is the first time I've received shy looks from the audience. Damien chuckles, demonstrating his mischievous nature. He obviously enjoys the situation. I just sighed discreetly. We took the elevator to the highest floor, which is his office, by pressing the buttons.The hallway in this part was even more exquisite. The floor was made out of marble, and the walls had magnificent minimalist designs that were pleasing to the eyes. Just one look, an
Charlotte Hayes' POV "Sharing? Who says I'm saying what's mine?" With a surprised expression, I looked at Damien. This was not a ruse. His comments, claiming me as his possession, perplexed me. Jake had a similar appearance to mine. He laughed awkwardly as he looked up at the ceiling. It's as if he's still deliberating over what to say next. Jake is a man of cunning secrets and manipulation. I'm curious what he'll say next. "I see. My wife is entirely yours, Mr. Étienne," Jake said, faking a smile. I shuddered. There was a part of me that wished he had stayed. I wanted to give him another chance to see if he would change. But I suppose not. He's still the same monster I know. Damien laughed and grabbed a piece of paperwork from the table. With his transparent, smooth pen, he scribbled on the thick, white documents. "Here," Damien handed the documents to Jake, which gave him a satisfied look. Those documents were probably approval documents. Jake's eyes brightened despite being dull
Damien Yves Étienne's POVI, Damien Yves Étienne, am known as 'Python' in the Mafia world because, like a python who wraps coils of its body around its prey and squeezes tight, I slowly wrap my prey until I devour. My family has a long history of Mafias, so now is the time for me to make a move and prove my worth in this dark and dangerous world. "Sir?" Luca inquired, perplexed as to why I hadn't responded to him yet. Changing the topic, I asked in an exhausted voice, "Anyways, how's father? Any updates on him?" "Your father likes to meet you tonight, 7 in the evening. Apparently, he wants you to take care of someone who owes him a million," Luca replied. I nodded gently and said, "Alright then," before hanging up the phone.I'm exhausted from cleaning up after my father's sloppiness. But it's always been that way. It's like a never-ending cycle for me. I went to my father's hidden basement later that evening, around 7 p.m. It was surrounded by an uncanny and gloomy atmosphere, as wa
Charlotte Hayes' POV"Oh? Your ego can’t handle this?" Damien asked, mocking him. The look on his face is so genuine that I'm not sure if Damien is mocking him for an act or for personal reasons. Jake, on the other hand, appeared to want to murder Damien. Damien's words and gaze were like knives piercing Jake's ego. Am I witnessing a conversation or a war?The conversation's atmosphere was becoming dangerous. At this rate, I may have to witness a bloodbath. I had to intervene before anything bad happened. I quickly grasped Jake's firm left hand and looked him in the eyes. "You should go, Jake," I said, shivering like a kitten. Damien looked pleased at some point after hearing my remark. There was a brief silence, as if Jake was unsure. But the answer was clear."Fine," Jake said as he turned to leave. When I saw him walking away for a long distance, I couldn't help but sigh. "Hey," Damien said in a gentle tone, the polar opposite of what he had on earlier. I slowly turned around to fa